Folding-machine.



No;A Patented Sept. 25

G. F. PFEIFFER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

(Applicnton lad July 25, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Nn. 658,463. Patented sept. 25, 1900.

G. F. PFEIFFER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

appunti sued July 25, 1899.)

5 Sheei3. .sheat 2.

(No Model.)

7j/$165565 v. 4 dm.

Patented Sept. 25, i900.

G. F. PF E|FFEH. FOLDING MACHINE. (Lppcntion led. July 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwey No. 658,463. Patented sept. 25, x9oo.

G. F. PFEIFFER. FOLDING MACHINE.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4,

'fayff No. 658,463. Patented Sept. 25, |900.

- G. F. PFEIFFER.

FOLDING. MACHINE.

(Application filed July 25, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Modei.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. PFEIFFER, OF BUFFALO, NFV YORK.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,463, dated September 25, 1900.

A A Application filed July 25, 1899. Serial No. 725,098. (No modeL To @ZL whom, it may concern:

ile it known that I, GEORGE F. PFEIFFER,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the count-y of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful improvements in Folding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

'l`his invention relates to a machine for folding handkerchiefs and similar sheets or blanks, so that. they' can be packed closely for convenience in shipping and to improve their appearance.

The folding of handkerchiefs as practiced heretofore by hand consisted in first folding or doubling the handkerchief transversely upon itself across the center in one direction and then forming a second fold or double in the center of the handkerchief at right angles to the first fold.

The object of this inventionis the production of a machine whereby the handkerchiefs are folded mechanically in the same manner in which they have hereto-fore been folded by hand and which will automatically stack the hand kei-chiefs in'piles of a. definite uumber, so as to facilitate packing of the handkerchiefs.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting ot' five sheets, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my folding-machine, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the pile-receptacle, in which the pile orsnpply of unfolded handkerchiefs is placed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section iu line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section in line 4. 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a frag mentary vert ical section,0n an enlarged scale, in line 5 5, Fig.1, showing the mechanism whereby the first fold is produced in thehandkerchief. Fig. G is a perspective viewof one of the grippers, whereby the unfolded handkerchiefs are carried from the feed-table to the first folding mechanism. Fig. 7 is an end view of one of these grippeis, showing the same open preparatory to receiving a handkcrchief. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing thc grippercloscd upon a handkerchief. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the retaining-gripper, whereby the handkerchief is held upon the first folding-table during the operai ion of producing the lirst fold iu the same. Fig. 10

is a fragmentary side View of the mechanism for operating the handkerchiefretaining gripper,sho\ving the position of the parts when the gripper 1s open. Fig. 11 isa similar vier,Y

showing the position of the paris when this gripper is closed. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, in line 12 12, Fig. 1, showlngthe mechanism whereby -the second fold is produced in the handker- Fig. 14 is a side elevation ofone of the transfenigri ppers, showing the same open preparatory to receiving the handkerchief. showing this gripper closed upon a handkerchief. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the retaining-gripper, whereby the handkerchief is retained upon the second folding-table during the operation of producingr the second fold in the handkerchief. Fig. 1'7 is a side view of the mechanism whereby this gripper is operated, showing the position of the parts when the gripper is open. Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when this gripper is closed. Fig. 19 is a fragmen tary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, in line 19 19, Fig. 1, showing, essentially, the first folding mechanism and the transfergripper whereby the handkerchief is carried from the first folding mechanism to the second folding mechanism. Fig. 2U is a verti- Fig. 15 is a similar view cal section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 2O 20, Fig. 1, showing the mechanism for automatically raising the pile supporting table as the' hand kerchiefs are fed off from the top of the pile. Fig. 21 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 21 21, Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scalei taken in line 22 22, Fig. l, showing the sccond folding mechanism and the stacking mechanism. Fig. 23 is a vertical section, oli an enlarged scale, in line 23 23, Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents a pile-supporting table upon which the pile of unfolded haudkerchiefs is placed and from the top of which the ope'- ator feeds the handkerchicfs one at a liuc toward the right and upon a horizontalfeeitahlc A'. From the latter the operator fccrs side of the pile-supporting table.

the haudkerchicls one at a time to the mechanism which produces the first. fold in the handkerchief. The table A2 of the lirst folding mechanism is arranged somewhat lower than the operators feedtable and extends rearwardly from the rear end of the latter. 'lho table A of the second folding mechanism is also arranged horizontally and somewhat lower than the first folding-tablc and extends at right angles from one side of the rear pori ion of the first folding-laments` shown in Fig. 1. handkerchiefs are carried to a delivery-table A,.which extends at right angles and forwardly from the rear end of the second folding-table.

A represents the stacking lablc, upon which the folded hand kerchiefs are delivered and which is arranged in front of the delivery-table. f

The pile-supporting table A is arranged in an inclosing,r case B, which is open at the top, and the table is automatically raised as the handkerchiefs are fed off from the top thereof for the purpose of keeping the top of the pile within convenient reach of the operator by the following mechanism:

b represents a. hof'rizontal screw-shaft which is journaled in bearings in the lower portion of the pile-case and which is provided on opposite sides of its longitudinal center with right and left hand screw-threads, as repre sented in Figs. 3, 20, and 2l.

b' b' represent two cross-bars which are arranged transversely above opposite ends of the screw-shaft and each of which is provided centrally on its under side withla semi screw-nut b2, engaging with the u p p er side of the adjacent threaded portion of the screwshaft, so that by turning,r the screw-shaft in the 'proper direction 'the two cross-bars are moved toward each other lengthwise of the screw-shaft. The cross-bars rest with their opposite ends on gnideways b3, which are arranged lengthwise on the inner side of the pile-case on opposite sides of the screw-shaft and which support the cross-bars as the latter are moved toward and from cach other.

C C represeuttwo series of compound levers arranged in the lower portion of the pile-case and constructed to work on the principle of lazy-tongs, as represented in Figs. 2, 20, and 21. The ends of the lower pairs of these com pound levers are pivoted to the opposite ends of the eross-bars b' and the 'ends of the upper pairs of these levers bear against the under Upon bringing the erossbars together the compound levers are shifted so as to produce a vertical dislention of the levers in a wellknown manner, thereby raising the pile-snp- 'portingr table and the handkerchiefs resting thereon, while upon separating the cross-bars the compound levers are contracted down` wardlyand the table resting thereon is lowered.

From thesecond folding-table the' The screw-shaft D is turned in the properdirection for slowly raising,r the pilcaupport ing',r table by a ratchet mechanism consisting, essentially, of a ratchet-wheel c, secured to one end of the screw-shaft, a pawl-arm c', mounted loosely on said shaft and provided with a pawl c2, engaging with the ratchetwheel, as represented in Figs. 1 and 20. The pawl-arm may be reciprocated from any suitable source-for instance, from a rotating cranl; c, connected by a rod c4 with the pawlarm. For the purpose of permitting the pile 'supporting tableV to be quickly lowered after the same has been raised the cross-bars b' are lifted, with their screw-nuts, ont of engagement with the screw-shaft, and in this posi tion of the screw-nuts the table is depressed and the cross-bars are spread by the'eontrac tion and lowering of the compound`levelrs. The cross-bars are then lowered, so that their screw-nuts again engage with the outermost portions of the serew-shaft. This lifting of the cross-bars is effected by two horizontal lifting-bars d, which are arranged lengthwise along the inner sides of the guideways and each of which is connected near opposite ,ends with the upper ends of roch-arms d', as 'representedin Figs. 3, 20, and 214' The rock- 'arms of both lifting-bars Vare connected by roch-shafts d2, and one of these rock-shafts is provided outside of the ease with a treadle (Z3. Upon depressing this treadle both lifti'ngbars are elevated along their whole length, and the cross-bars resting thereon are also lifted, so that theirscrew-nuts are disengaged from the screw-shaft. After the table has been shifted to thedesired position the treadle is-again released and the crossbars 'engage with their screw-nuts into `the thread of the screw-shaft by gravity.

The handkerchiefs are combed or feathered out by the opera-tor from the top of the pile toward the right and upon the feed-table, so that each of the combed handkerchiel's is arranged slightly in advance of the next following or lower handkerchief. In order to facilitate this combing operation, the upper side of the pile-table is inclined toward the feed-table, as shown at a, Figs. 2 and- 20, so that the pile resting thereon is tilted slightly toward the feed-table. The pile-case is provided witl1 closed rear and side walls and with a removable front wall to permit-the tabletobe con venienlly loaded from the front side when in a depressed position. This front wall consists, preferably, l of two doors B', which are connected at their outer ends by hinges B with the front ends of thc side walls, so that the doors can be swung horizontally ,to one side and open up the front of the pileease. The hinges of the doors are preferably provided with springs, which hold the doors in a closed position. The opposing free ends of the doors when in their closed position' are separated by an intervening space as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which permits the IOC IIO

' as shown in Figs. 5 and 19. These sprocket- -wheels are mounted, respectively, on horizon tal shafts e13 el, journaled in bearings on the main frame of the machine. The two belts are provided at suitable intervals with grippers E3, which carry the handkerchiefs from the feed-table to the first folding meehanism, each of these grippers being constructed as follows:

e, Figs. l, 5, 7, and 8, represents atra-nsverse bar which is connected at its ends by vertical hanger-plates e' to the adjacent links of the two carrying-belts. This bar is provided on its outer side with a gripping-face e2 and forms one of the jaws of the gripper.

e3 represents a rock-shaft journaled transversely in the front portions of the hangerplates e' and provided with two or more fingers e, which form the other jaw of the gripper. In the open position of the gripper its fingers are swung forwardly and inwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, and in its closed position its fingers are swung outwardly and rearwardly against the cross-bar, and thereby grasp the handkerchief which is placed between the jaws. The gripper is yieldingly held either in an open or a closed position by a presserrod e5, pivoted at one end to a crank e ou one end of the gripper-shaft and passing loosely with its opposite end through a swiveling post e7, which is pivoted on the adjacent hanger-plate, and aspriuges, surrounding the presser-rod and bearing with its ends against the swiveling post and a shoulder on the presser-rod, as represented in Figs. 7 and 8. 'lhe pivotal connection between the presserrod and the crank is such that when the gripper is open this connection is on one side of the dead-center and holds the gripper open, as shown in Fig. 7, and when the grippershaft is turned so that said pivotal connecl ion is shifted to the opposite side of the deadcenter, as shown in Fig. S, the gripper will be held closed. The gripper-shaft is provided at its opposite end with two shifting-arms e9 el, which are arranged at right angles to each other. These arms are adapted to engage, respectively, with stops or projections e cl2, which are arranged on the main frame and whereby the gri pper is either closed or opened. ln the open position of the gripper its closingarm e" projects outwardly or transversely with reference to the direction of movement of the gripper, and its opening-arm el projects rearwardly and parallel with this direction of movement, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. 'lhe operator places the handkerchief to be folded with its front edge transversely below the lowermest portions of the receiving sprocketwheels. As an open gripper in moving downwardly and forwardly around the lower portion of the receiving sprocket-wheels reaches the front edge of the handkerchief its closing-arm e9 engages with the closing-stop e on the adjacent stationary part of the machine and its rockshaft is turned sufficiently so that the pivotal connection between its crank and the presser-rod is carried to the opposite side of the dead-center, after which the closing movement of the gripper-fingers is completed quickly by the gripper-spring es and the front edge of ,the handkerchief is grasped between the crossbar and the lingers of the gripper. After the gripper has been closed upon the handkerchief its closing-arm e9 projects rearwardly parallel with the line of movement of the gripper and its opening-arm cm projects inwardly transversely to the direction of movement of the gripper, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The gripper now moves forwardly in this position with the handkerchief untilhthe handkerchief reaches the proper positionf'with reference to the 'first folding ineehanism, and then its outwardly-projecting opening-arm elo engages with the opening-stop e12 on the adjacent stationary part of the frame, whereby the gripper-shaft is turned in the opposite direction. This movement ofthe shaft causes the pivotal connection between its crank and presser-rod to be shifted to the opposite side of the deadcenter, after which the opening movement is quickly completed by the gripper-spring and the handkerchief is released from the gripper.

ln order to enable the operator to always place the handkerchief with its front end in the proper position to be grasped bythe gripper, a vertically-movable registering guide or stop is provided, which is elevated above the surface of the feedtable to permit the operator to gage the front end of the handkerchief against the same and which is depressed to permit the gripper to carry the handkerchief from the feed-table. This registering device preferably consists of two fingers f, which are secured with their front ends to a rock-shaft F, arranged below the feed-table, and which are adapted to move into and out of the path of the handkerchief ata point below the lowerniost part of the receiving sprocket-wheels, the adjacent portion of the li rst folding-table being recessed for this purpose to permit the registering-fingers to partake of this movenient, as represented in Figs. 1 and 5. The registering-fingers are raised and lowered at the proper time preferably by a connectingrodf',\vhich is connected at its lowerend with a forwardly-projecting arm f2 on one end of the registering-shaft Fand which is provided at its opposite end with a roller or projection engaging with a earn f3, secured to the shaft of the receiving sprocket-wheels, as represented in Figs. l and 5.

After the handkerchief has been carried to the rear portion of the iirst folding-table and deposited thereon by the gripper in the proper position for receiving the first transverse fold the handkerchief after being released from the gripper is clamped along its front or advancing edge to the first folding-table, so that it is held against displacement d nring the first folding operation. This clamping device is constructed as follows:

G G, Figs. l, 5, 9, and l0, represent two gripping jaws or fingers which pass up and down through openings g in the rear portion of the first folding-table and which are secured at their lower ends to a rock-shaft g', arranged transversely below the first foldingtable. While the handkerchief is being carried rearwardly over the Iirst folding-table the clam pin g-lingers Gare swung rearwardly and' downwardly, so as to clear the top of the table, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.5,and when the handkerchief reaches its proper position to be folded on this table the clamping-fingers move upwardly and forwardly into engagement with the upper sfide ofthe handkerchief along the front edge thereof, whereby the latter is clamped against this folding-table. the handkerchief has been folded the clamping-lingers are again swung rearwardly and downwardly to permit the folded handkerchief to be removed and permit the next nnfolded handkerchief to be presented to the fiist folding mechanism. The clamping-fingers are yieldingly held in their open or closed position by a springtension device consisting of a crank g2, secured to one end of the clampshaft g', a presser-rod g3, pivoted at one end to the crank and passing loosely with its opposite end through a swivel-post g4, pivoted on the adjacent portion of the frame, and a spring g5, surrounding the presser-rod and bearing with one end against said post and with its opposite end against a shoulder on the presser-rod, asrepresented in Figs. 10 and 11. The pivotal connection between the crank and the presser-rod is so located that it is shifted alternately from one side of the dead-center to the other side, and the spring thns serves to hold the clamp either in its open or closed position.

g Q7 represent two intermeshing gearwheels, one of which is secured to the clampshaft adjacent to its crank, and the other is pivoted to the adjacent portion of the main frame.

gf gf represent two shifting-arms whereby the clamping-fingers are shifted either into their open or closed positions. The openingarm rf is secured to the opposite end of the clamp-slmft, and the closing-arm is secured to the gear-wheel gi, which meshes with the gear-wheel gj" on the clani1 )-sl1aft,as represented in Figs. 9, l0, and 1l. The opening and closing arms of the clamping mechanism are arranged on opposite sides of the first folding-table and are adapted to be engaged by openingand closing lugs or tappets y1 g,

After which are mounted on the carrying-belts E and arranged on the respective sides of the table. In the open position of the clamping device its closing-arm g9 projects upwardly and its opening-arm g8 projects forwardly with reference to the direction in which the lower portion of the carrying-belt moves, as represented in4 Figs. 9 and 10. W'hen the handkerchief has been released from the carryinggripper, the tappet g11 engages with the front side of the closing-arm and moves the same rearwardly and downwardly, as represented in Fig. ll. This movement is transmitted by the gear-wheels g'l g6 to the clamp-shaft, whereby the latter is turned in the opposite direction, and its fingers are moved upwardly and forwardly. After the clamp-shaft has been turned sufficiently in this direction to bring the pivotal connection between its crank and the presser-rod to the opposite side of the dead-center of the pivotal connect-ion this movement of the shaft is quickly completed by the spring g5, and the clamping-fingers are thereby pressed against the front edge of the handkerchief. During the closing movement of the clamping-fingers the closing-arm is shifted fro|r`-its vertical position into a rearwardly-projecting horizontal position and the opening-arm gB at the opposite end of the clamp-shaft is shifted from its rearwardly-projecting horizontal position into an upright position, as shown in Fig. 11, in which position of the opening-arm it stands in the path of the opening-tappen g1 of the adjacent carrying-belt. The clamp remains in this closed position until 'the handkerchief which it grasps has been folded, and then the upwardly-projecting opening-arm gs on the opposite end of the clamp-shaft is engaged by the tappet g10 on the adjacent carryingbelt, whereby the opening-arm is moved forwardly and downwardly, together with the clamping-fi ngers. l.Vhen the clamp-shaft has been turned in this direction sueient to carry the pivotal connection between its crank and the presser-rod'to the opposite side of the dead-center of the pivot-al connection, the opening movement is completed by the spring g5 and the handkerchief is released. During this opening movement of the clamping-fingersthe opening-arm gs is shifted from its vertical position to a forwardly-projeeting horizontal position and the closing-arm gel is shifted from its forwardly-projecti ng horizontal position into an upright or vertical position, as represented in Figs. 9 and 10, in which position the closing-arm projects into the path of the closng-tappet g11 on the adjacent car- .rying-belt ready to be engaged by this tappet for closing the clamping-fingers on the front end of the next handkerchief to be folded.

Then the handkerchief is deposited by the carrying-gripper on the first folding-table in the proper position to he folded, it ext-ends across a transverse slot H, which is arranged in the rear portion of this table and which divides this table into a front section and a -secured to a rock-shaft i', which is journaled .transversely in bearings on the main frame.

This shaft is rocked for moving the upper folding-blade toward and from the table by means of a connecting-rod 112, connected at one end with a rock-arm 113 on the rock-shaft t" and provided near its opposite end with a roller or projection which engages with a cam 4, secured to the shaft of the delivery sprocket-wheels. In its depressed position thc upper blade overhangs the rear edge of the slot. H, and. the handkerchief at this point is deflected downward slightly, for which purpose the rear section of the first folding-table is inclined toward the slot H, and the upper blade is correspondingly inclined, so as to bear flat against the rear section of the table when in its operative position.

J represents a lower folding-blade which is adapted to move upwardly through the slot H in the table and fold the rear portion of the handkerchief over the top of the upper blade. The lower blade slides lengthwise in guides en the under side of t-he front section of the folding-table and is inclined at the same angle as the upper blade; but its plane of movement is slightly above the upper bla-de when the latter is in its operative posit-ion.

-lVhile the handkerchief is being laid across the slot Il in the table the lower folding-blade is moved forwardly, so that its rear end is retracted below and in front of the slot in the table. After the front portion of the handkerchief has been clamped upon the rear section of the table the lower folding-,blade is moved rearwardly, whereby its front or operative edge passes upwardly through the slot ll and engages with the under side of the handkerchief. During the last part of the rearward movement of the lower blade the central part of the handkerchief is carried by the lower blade over the upper blade and 'folded or doubled in opposite directions around the opposing operative edges of the blades, as represented in Fig. 5. The reciprocating movement of the lower folding-blade may be effected by Various means-for instance, as shown in Fig. 5, by a rock-shaftj, provided with gear-segmen ts j',engaging with gear-racks j2 on the lower blade, and a connecting-rod ji, which is connected at its rear end with a depending arm on the segmentshalt and which is provided at its front cnd with a projection or roller engaging with a cam i5. 'lhe latter is mounted upon a tra-nsi ends on a transverse shaft k'.

verse shaftj` which is jonrnaled transversely on the main frame below the first'. foldingtable and which is driven by a chain beltj, passing around sprocket-wheelsjay", secu red, respectively, to the shaft ew of the receiving sprocket-wheels and the cam-shaftj, as represented n Figs. l and 5.

K represents a smoothing or retaining bar which is adapted to press the rear portion of the handkerchiefs loosely down upon the front section of the folding-table and spread the same evenly while the same is being folded, thereby preventing the handkerchief from becoming wrinkled or displaced during the folding operation. This smoothing-bar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, is secured at its ends to the lower ends of two hangers or arms fr., which are rigidly secured at their upper rlhis shaft is jonrnalcd in theadjaceut portion of the main frame and is rocked for moving the smoothing-bar toward and from the folding-table by means ofa con nectingrod 7;?, which is secu red atits u pper end to a el'oss-bart3,connecting the arms of the upper blade, and which is loosely connected atits lowerend toa depending arm L on the rock-shaft of the smoothing-bar. This loose connection is preferably formed by passing the connecting-rod It loosely through the depending arm and arranging a head or shoulder k on the rod below the arm t. The relative position of the smoothingbar and the upper folding-blade is such that when the blade moves downwardly the smoothing-bar bears against the rear portion of the handkerchief slightly in advance of the blade, and during the balance of the downward movement of the blade, after the smoothingbar rests upon the handkerchief, the connecting-rod 752 slides through the depending arm 7a4. During the subsequent upward movement of the blade the latter moves slightly upward independent of the smoothing-bar, and then the head of the connectingrod k2 bears against the under side of the dcpending arm 1.1i, which causes the smoothingbar to be lifted from the handkerchief, together with the blade. By thus loosely con-- necting the upper folding-blade with the smoothing-barthe latter bears upon the handkerchief only with its weight, which is sufficient to take out the wrinkles, but does not retard the movement of the handkerchief while being folded.

L L' represent two sad-irons or smoothingirons which are arranged above and below the folding-table, as represented in Figs. 1, 5, and

19, and whereby the bends which are formed in the handkerchief around the edges of the folding-blades are set or creased, so that. the handkerchief tends to remain in its folded condition. The upper sad-iron is secured to the lower ends of two rock-arms Z1., which latter are secured at their upper ends to a transverse rock-shaft l', journaled in the adjacent portion of the main frame. This roekshaft is operated for moving the upper sadiron toward and from the rear cud of the lower folding-blade, when the latter is in an operative position, by a connecting-rod l2, which is connected at its frontend to a rockarm Z3 on the upper sad-iron shaft and which is provided on its rear end with a lugr or roller which engages a cam It, mounted on the shaft c" of the rear sprocket-wheels E". 'lhe lower sad-iron l. is supported at its ends byarms if on a rock-shaftl, and the latter is operated for moving the lower sad-iron L' toward and from the front edge of the upper folding-blade, when the lat-ter is in its operative position, Uy a connecting-rod l?, which is connected at its rear end to an arm ls, depending from the lower sad-iron shaft, and which is provided at itsfrontend witha lug or roller engagingwit-h a cam lgon the transverse shaft Each ot thesad-irons is preferably made hollowanl is heated, so as to make the crease in the ln dkerchief more permanent., by

means of a number ofgas jets or burners (1, which are mounted on the supporting-arms of the sad-ironsand to which the gas or other fuel is supplied by means of a flexible tube l, which connects with the pipe carrying,r the jets or burners, as shown in Fig. 19.

Before thgi.- gripper carrying an unfolded handkerchief reaches the first folding mchanisni the sad-irons, the folding-blades` and the smoothing-bar are. all retracted, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 5, in which position the upper sad-iron, the upper folding-blade, and the smoothing-bar are lifted above the path of the gripper and the lower sad-iron and folding-blade are moved forwardly from underneath the slot. H in this folding-table. lVhile the folding mechanism is in this position the gripper carries the unfoldedt handkerchief upon the rear portion of the foldingtableand deposits the same across the slot I-I and within reach of the clamping-fingers G, which latter grasp the same. The upper folding-blade, together with the smoothinghar, is now lowered upon the handkerchief on opposite sides of the slot H, and then the lower folding-blade is advanced and the rear portion of the handkerchief is lapped over the upper blade, during which operation the trailing portion of the handkerchief is drawn along the under sideof the smoothing-bar. The sad-irons now both advance and sinnlitaneously crease the upper and lower bends around the opposing ends of the foldingblades and are then both retracted, after which the lower folding-blade, the upper foldingblade, and the smoothing-har are also successively retracted in the order named. After the handkerchief has received its first fold in the manner described its front end is released by the clamping-fingers G, and it is carried laterally upon the sccond folding-table and presented t-o the second folding mechanism, whereby a second fold is produced in the handkerchief at right angles to the first fold.

The carrying mechanism which presents .anism by a second transfer device.

the partly-folded handkerchief to the second folding,r mechanism is constructed substantially the same'as the carrying mechanism which presents the unfolded handkerchief to the iirst foldingr mechanism and consists, essentially, of two carrying heltsor chains M M, which pass around receiving and delivery sprocket-wheels m 'm' and grppors itl', which are arranged on the carryi iig-hel ts atI suitable intervals. 'lhese grippers are constructed and operated precisely the same as the grippers of the first carrier, and the same letters of reference therefore apply io the corresponding parts of the grippers of both carriers. The receiving and delivery sprocketwheels are mounted on front and rear shafts m`z m3 `similar to the first carrier, and the front shaft extends forwardly and is geared with the front shaft of the first carrier by in-` termeshing mite r gearwhee1s mha", as shown in Fiv. 1, whereby the two carriers are operated in unison. The shaft rn2 also carries the crank c3, which operates the pile -raising mechanism. After the handkerchief has been released from the first folding mechanism the saine is carried laterally at right angles within reach of the gripper-s of the second carrier b v a transfer device, and whenuthe handkerchief is released from the second' folding mechanism the handkerchief is c'airied from the second folding mechanism tothe delivery mech- The construction and operation of these two transfer devices are identical, with the exception that in one the gripper-operating mechanism is arranged reversely to that of the other, and the description of one `will therefore apply to both.

N, Figs. 5 and 19, represents the reciprocating slide of the first transfer device, which is arranged in guides underneath the receiving port-ion of the second folding-table and which has a movement at right angles to the first haiidkerchief-carrier and parallel with the second carrier. This slide is operated from a vertical rock-shaft N' by means of a link n, connecting the lower side of the slide with a horizontal rock-arm 'n' on t-he rockshaft N. This shaft is operated by means of a cam n2, mounted on the shaft m2 and engaging with an arm 113 on the rockshaft N', as shown in Fi". 1. The slide is provided with two fixed jaws n4, which project upwardlythrongh longitudinal slots` in the folding-table and which are provided at their npper ends with gripping-faces arranged flush, or nearly so, with the top of the folding-table- 11.5represents.two gripper-lingers which are arranged in the slots in rear of the jaws -nr and which are secured toa transverse rockshaft n, journaled on the adjacent portion of the slide. In the open position of the gripper of the transfer device its gripper-fingers are swung rearwardly and downwardly, so as to clear the top of the table, as shown in Figs. 12, 13, 14, and 19, and in the closed position of this gripper thc gripper-lingers are swung '19 and in full lines in Fig. l5.

u pwardlyand forwardly, so as to bear against the gripping-surface of the transfer-ja\\'s, as represented by dotted-,lines in Figs. 12 and The grippingfingers are yieldingly held either in i heil' open or closed position by a crank n?, secured to one end of the transfer-grippershaft,a presserrod n, pivotally connected at one end to said crank and sliding with its opposite end in a swiveling-post n.9, which is pivoted to the adjacent portion of the slide, and a spring nl", surrounding the presser-rod and bearing with one end against said post and with its opposite end against-a shoulder on the presserrod, as represented in Figs. 14 and 15. Upon turning the gripper-shaft so that the pivotal connection between its crank and the presserrod is shifted from one side to the other the spring serves to hold the gripper-fingers in cit-her extreme position of the fingers. The opposite end of the transfer-gripper shaft is provided with a gripper-opening arm n and a gripper-closing arm n, these arms being arranged at right angles to each otherand ont of line lengthwise of the axis of the shaft, as shown in Figs. 5 and 13. The main frame of the machine is provided with two stops n n, which are adapted to engage alternately withthe gripper opeiiing and closing arms for the purpose of turning the shaft so as to open or close the gripper. In the open position of the gripping-fingers the closing-arm n.12 extends downwardly in line with the closing-stop n and the opening-arm 'nu projects forwardly from the shaft, as represented vin Figs. 13 and 14. While the gripper is in this position it is moved backwardly or toward the side of the` partly-folded handkerchie as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 19. During the last portion of this backward movement of the trausfer-gripperits fixed jaws pass underneath the adjacent edge of the partly-folded hand kerchief and its closing-arm n engages with the closing-stop n, whereby the shaft of this gripper is turned in the direction for closing the gripper-fingers. When this shaft has been turned sufficiently to carry its crank to the opposite side of the dead-center, its spring quickly completes the closing movement of the gripperl ngers, so that theygrasp the edge of the handkerchief which is lying upon the fixed jaws. In this shift-ed position of the grippers the closing-arm 'm12 projects horizontally forward and the opening-arm n projects downwardly, as represented in Fig. l5. The transfer-gripper, together with the handkerchief grasped thereby, removes the partlyfolded handkerchief from the first foldingtable. When the transfer-gripper reaches a position below the lowcrmost portion of thereceiving sprocket-wheels m of the second carrier, iis opening-arm n engages with the open ing-steph 1:", whereby the transfer-gri pper shaft. is turned in the direction for opening the gripper. When this` shaft has been turned sufficiently in this direction to carry the pivotal connection between its crank and the -o projects forwardly and is secured pressen rod slightly beyond the dead-center, this movement is quickly completed by the spring and the gripper is opened fully for releasing th'e. hand kei-chief. At the same time, or nearly so, that the handkerchief is released from the transfer-gripper the same is grasped by one of the grippers M' of the second earrier and then carried forwardly and laid across the slot Il', which divides the. .second folding-table into front and rear sect-ions in the same maunerin which the unfolded handkerchief is presented to the first folding mechanism. After the blank has been deposited upon the second folding-table in the proper position to be folded its trai ling end is grasped by a pair of clamping-fingers O, which are operated in substantially the same manner as the clam ping-fi ngers which grasp the advaneingend ofthe unfolded handkcrchiefou the first folding-table, with the exception that the arrangement of the opening and closing arms of the operating mechanism is arranged reversely, as shown in Figs. 12, 16, 17, and 18. In the open position of the. second clam ping device the closing-arm O' is secured to the clampingfinger shaft o2 and projects upwardly into the path of its operating-tappeti o3 on the adjacent belt, while the closing-arm to the gear-wheel 05, which meshe's lwith the gearwheel o on the clamping-finger shaft 02, as represented in Figs. 1G, 17, and 1S. When the second clamping device is closed, its closing-arm 0 projects forwardly and its opening-arm o4 projects upwardly into the path of its operating-tamiet o7 on the adjacent belt, as represented in Fig. 1S.

The second folding niechanism, which produces the second fold in the handkerchief while the latter lies on the second folding-table, as shown in Figs. 12 and 22, is constructed substantially the same as the first folding mechanism, the essential difference being that the second folding mechanism is arranged to operate reverscly to the first folding mechanism. 'lhe upper folding-blade I' of the second folding-table bears upon the trailing portion of the handkerchief, and its companion lower folding-blade J folds the advancing end of the handkerchief backward] y over the upper blade. The cams 5112, which operate the upper bladcI', smoothingbar K', and upper sad-iron L2 of the second folding mechanism, are mounted on the shaft m2. 'lhe lower folding-blade J' and lower sad-iron If of the second folding mechanism are arranged below the rear section of the second folding-table, and their eamsjo 13 move the saine ii'orwardly when in operation.

As shown in the drawings, the shaft mi of the delivery sprocket-wheels of the second carrier is employed as t-he main d living-shaft, which is provided with a pulley P, to which adriving-belt is applied in the usual manner. The shaft/1, supporting the cams/'l0 f3,\vl1ich operate the lower sad-iron L3 and the lower folding-blade J', is rotated by means of a chain belt p, passing around sprocket-wheels p' pi, mounted, respectively, on the drivingshaft m3 and the cam-shaftj After the second fold has been produced in the handkerchief the same is carried laterally bythe second transfer device from the second folding-table and delivered upon a set of pivoted discharge-flies Q, which are arranged upon the delivery-table A4. The slide N2 of the second transfer device is guided in ways on the under side of the delivery-table A, and its fixed jaws 'n4 project upwardly through slots in the delivery-table. This 'slide is operated from the vertical rock-shaft N' by a link fr, connecting this slide with a rock-arm r on said shaft in the same manner in which the first transfer-slide is operated. The pivoted lies Q, which receive the folded handkerchiefs, operate in the same manner as the flies of a printing-,press and serve to carry the folded handkerchief from the delivery-table A4 to the receiving or stacking table Ai", arranged in rear of the delivery-table. These flies are mounted on a transverse shaft q, which is pivoted transversely near the rear end of the delivery-table and are moved backwardly, so as to lie horizontally on the delivery-table, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 22, by means of a cord or strap q', which is wound wit-h one end upon a drum q2 on Said shaft and which is connected at its opposite end to a crank g3, as shown in Figs. l and 4. This crank is mounted upon a bevel gear-wheel (1.4, which meshes with a corresponding bevel gear-wheel g5 on the adjacent end of the driving-shaft lVhile the flies are resting upon lhe deliverytable the second transfer device carries the folded handkerchiefs from the second folding-table over the flies and then releases the same. The flies are then swung upwardly and rearwardly, as shown by f ull li n esin Figs. l and 22, so as to deposit the folded handkerchief upon the receiving-table. This movement of the flies is produced by a spring q, surrounding the ily-shaft and secured at one end to the drum and with its opposite ends to the adjacent stationary part of the machine. During the subsequent return movement of -the flies this spring is strained preparatory to effecting the next forward movement of the flies.

In order to facilitate bundling of the handkerchiefs, the receiving-table is given a partial turn whenever a predetermined number of handkcrchiel's have been delivered upon the same. By this means the handkerehiefs arc piled upon the table iu such manner that each bundle is arranged at an angle to tho adjacent bundles, as shown in Fig. l, which enables the operator to remove the handkerchefs and pack the same without the necessity of counting them over.

'lhe mechanism for automatically turning the stackingtable, which is shown in the drawings, is organized for piling the handkerchiefs in stacks or bundles of a dozen each and is constructed as follows:

S represents an intermittently-rotating vertical shaft which supports the receiving-table A5 at its upper end, as represented in Fig. 22. 'lhis shaft is provided at its lower end with a gear-wheel s, which meshes with a gear-wheel s', secured to ashort horizontal shaft s2.

T represents-a rock-shaft pro vided with two rock-arms t t', projecting in opposite directions. The roek-arintcarrics a pawl t2, which engages with a ratchet-wheel 3 ou the horizontal shaft s2. The rock-shaft is moved backwardly for taking up a new tooth ou thc ratchet-wheel by a spring t connecting with the rock-arm t. The opposite arm t of the rock-lever is provided with an upwardly-projecting shifting rod or bar t5, which is guided on the adjacent part of the frame.

U represents a star-wheel provided with twelve teeth and with a tooth or tappet u., which is adapted to engage with a shoulder u' onthe shifting rod t5, as represented in Fig. 23. The adjacent gear-wheel .m4 is provided with a tooth or tappet 1J, adapted to engage with the teeth of the star-wheel. The shaft m2 makes one revolutioxfi for every handkerchief which is folded and delivered upon the receiving-table, and during each revolution its tooth or tappet v engages one of the teeth of the star-wheel and turns the same one-twelfth of a rotation, so that when this shaft has made twelve turns the star-wheel has made'one complete turn. During the last twelfth of a' turn of the star-wheel its tooth or tappet engages with the shoulder of the shifting rod t5 and depresses the same, thereby turning the rock-shaft, so that the pawl shifts the ratchet-wheel and the receiving-table geared therewith. As shown in the drawings, this gearing is so timed that the receiving-table isturned one-eighth of a rotation whenever twelve handkerchiefs have been deposited upon the same; but, if desired, the extent of rotation of the receivingtable may he varied.

In order to secure a perfect alinemeut of the handkerchiefs on the receiving-table A5, the latter is, provided with a number of uprightguide-posts \V,between which thc-handkerchiefs are deposited and held in place, so that the bundles do not require any further attention before being tied.

The operation, briefly stated, of my handkerchief-folding machine is as follows: After placinga pile of unfolded haudkerchiefs upon the pilesupporting table A the operator combs the top of the pile toward the right upon the feed-table A', and then takes the uppermost handkerchief and places the same, with its front edge, against the front guides f, which at this time are elevated. As the next following gripper' E3 of the first carrier approaches the front end of the registered handkerchief the front guide f descends be- IOO IIO

low the feed-table, and then the passing gripper grasps the frontend of the handkerchief and carries the same forwardly over the first folding table. When the handkerchief has reached the folding position with reference to the first folding mechanism, the moving gripper releases the same. and then the first clamping device G grasps the front end of the handkerchief and holds the same in place upon the table. The first folding and iron'- ing devices now operate upon the handker- .chief for .producing .the first fold in the same,

after which these folding and ironing devices and the first clamp are disengaged from the handkerchief and the same is left perfectly free. The partly-folded handkerchief is now seized by the first transfer device and delivered to the next following gripper M of the second carrier, which is' at this time in the proper place lo grasp the saine, and the transfer device is disengaged from the handkerchief. The latter is now carried by the gripper M' of the second carrier into the proper position upon the second folding-table, so as to be grasped at its rear end by the second clamping device O,'and it is then released by the 'gripper M'. The folding and ironing devices of the second folding-table now operate 'upon the handkerchief to produce the Second fold therein, after which these parts clear this handkerchief, so as to leave the same perfectlyfree to be carried laterally bythe second transfer device to the delivery-flies, and' then the latter deposit the completely-folded handkerchief on the receiving-table A5. When the machine is fully in operation, an unfolded handkerchief is registered and propelled by the first carrier, an-

.other handkerchief is receiving its first fold,

another handkerchief is being propelled by the second carrier, another handkerchief is receiving its second fold, and still another is being delivered upon the pile-receiving table, so that several handkerchiefs are simultaneously undergoing the operations of being registered, receiving the first fold, receiving the second fold, and being delivered upon the pile-receiving table.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with a folding-table provided with aslot, ofan u p perfolding-blade having a movement toward and from the top of the table on one side of its slot and adapted to press one end of the sheet against the table, and a lower folding-blade arranged below said table on the opposite side of its slot and adapted to move upwardly through said slot and over the upper foldingblade,where by the central part of the sheet is folded or doubled around the opposite ends of said blades, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a foldingtable pro vided with aslot, ofan upper folding-blade having an oscillating movement toward and from the top of the table on one side of its slot, and a lower folding-blade arranged below thc table on the opposite side of its slot and having a reciprocating movement through said slot and over the upper folding-Lblade, substani ially as set forth.

3. The combination with a folding-table provided with a slot, of an upper folding-blade adapted to bear upon the table on one side of its slot, a rock-shaft carrying the upper folding-blade, a cam which operates said rockshaft,a lower folding-blade arranged on guideways below the table on the opposite side of its slot and having a reciprocating movement through said slot and over the upper foldingblade, gear-segmen is meshing with gearracks on the lower folding-blade, and acam which operates the segments, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a foldingtable provided with aslot, ofan upper folding-blade adapted to bear against the top of the table on one side of its slot, a smoothing-bar adapted to bear against the top of the table on the opposite side of its slot, and a lower foldingblade arranged below the table and adapted to pass through said slot and over the upper folding-blade, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a folding-table provided with aslot, ofan upperfolding-blade adapted to bear against the top of the table on one side of its slot, a smoothing-bar adapted to bear against the top of the table on the opposite side of its slot, and loosely connected with the operating device of the upper folding-blade and a lower folding-blade arranged below the table and adapted to pass through said table and over the upper folding-blade, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a folding-table provided with a slot, ofan upper folding-blade mounted on a rocking support and adapted to bear against the top of the table on one side of its slot, a smoothing-bar supported by a rock-shaft and adapted to bear against the top of the table on the opposite side of its slot, a rock-arm connected with said shaft, a rod passing. loosely through said arm and provided with a head at its lower end and connected at its upper end with said rocking support, and a lower folding-blade arranged below the table and adapted to pass through said slot and over the upper foldingblade, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a folding-table, of two folding-blades which are adapted to overlap one another and fold the sheet between the same, and sad-irons adapted to engage with the sheet at the opposing ends of the folding-blades, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination with a folding-table, of two folding-blades which are adapted to overlap one another and fold the sheets between the same, and a clampadapted to grasp the end of the blank and hold the same during the folding operation, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with a folding-table provided with a slot, of an upper oscillating folding-blade adapted to bear against the top IIO of the table ou one side of' its slot, a smoothing-bar adapted to bear against the top of the table on the opposite side of the slot, a lower reciprocating folding-blade arranged below the table and adapted to pass through said slot and over the upper olding-blade, a clamp adapted to grasp the end of the sheet which is being folded, and upper and lower sad-irons adapted to engage with the opposing ends of 'tl1`e.foldingblades, substantially as set forth.

l0. Theieoinbination with the folding mechauism, of anendless carrier, a gripper having a jaw which is xed on said carrier, a moV- able jaw which is mounted on a rock-shaft turning on the carrier, a spring bearing against a crank on one end of said shaft, gripper closing and opening arms arranged on said rock-shaft, and stationary stops which are engaged by the closing and opening arms for 1shifting the latter, substantially as set ort 1.

lll. The combination with the folding-table and the folding mechanism, of a carrier wherebythe sheets are carried to the folding mechanism, clamping-lingers adapted to engage with the end of the sheet and mounted on a rock-shaf t, a shifting-arm arranged on the rock-shaft, a gear-wheel meshing with a gearwheel on said rock-shaft and provided with a shifting-arm which is arranged at an angle to the shifting-arm on said rock-shaft, and tappets arranged ou said carrier and adapted to engage with said shifting-arms for opening and closing the clampingiingcrs, substantial ly as set forth.

l2. The combination with the folding-table and the folding mechanism, of a carrier whereby the sheets are carried to the folding mechanism, clamping-fingers adapted to engage with the end of the sheet and mounted on a rock-shaft, a shifting-arm arranged on the rock-shaft, a gear-wheel meshing with a gearwheel on said rock-shaft and provided with a shiftingarm which is arranged at an angle to the shifting-arm on said rock-shaft, tappets arranged on said carrier and adapted to engage said shifting-arms for opening and closing the clamping-fingers, and a spring which engages with a'cranlc on said shaft and whereby the clamping-tin gers are yieldingly held in an open or closed position, substantially as set forth.

13. Theeornbination with the folding mechanism, of a transfcr-gripper having a movement toward and l" rom the folding mechanism and consisting of a slide, jaws fixed on the slide, movable jaws mounted on a rook-shaft which is journaled on said slide, a spring which engages with a crank on the shaft and holds the same yieldingly in an open or closed position, and two shifting-arms arranged at right angles to each other on said rock-shaft and adapted to engage with stops for turning the rock-shaft in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

i t xlli. The combination with a feed-table, a

primary folding-table an'd a secondary folding-table, said several tables being al1 arranged substantially in the same plane, of a primary carrier which carries the sheet to be folded from the feed-table to the primary folding-table, a primary transferring device which carries the sheet away from the first folding-table, a secondary carrier which rarries the sheet from the primary transferring device to the secondary folding-table, and a secondary transferring device which carries the sheet away from the secondary foldingtable, substantially as set forth.

Fitness my hand this lth day ofJnly, 1.899.

GEORGE F. PFEIFFER.

Witnesses:

' THEO. L. Porn,

HENRY L. DECK. 

